Birbal Stories of Wit and Wisdom

There was a Mogul Emperor in India, Akbar the Great (1542-1605). His full name was Jalaludden Mohammed Akbar Padshah Ghazi and he ruled India from 1560 to 1605. He himself was illiterate, but he invited several learned people in his court. Among these people, nine were very famous and were called Nav Ratna (nine jewels of the Mogul Crown) of his court. Among these nine jewels, five people were more famous - Tansen, Todarmal, Abul Fazal, Maan Singh and Birbal.

Birbal (1528-1583) is very popular for his sharp intellect and sense of humour. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly administrative and military, but he was a very close friend of Akbar  too, because Akbar loved his wisdom, wit and subtle humour. 

Though popularly known as Birbal, his real name was Maheshdas. It is believed that he belonged to a poor Brahmin family of Trivikrampur on the banks of the river Yamuna,  but it was only by virtue of his sharp intellect that he rose to be a minister at the court of Akbar. According to legend,  he died on an expedition to Afghanistan at the head of a large military force due to treachery. It is also said that when Birbal died, Akbar mourned him for several months.

The exchanges between Akbar and Birbal have been recorded in many volumes. The Akbar Birbal Stories are an integral part of rich Indian heritage. These are the most popular stories among all age groups that inculcate moral values and virtues, and forms an indispensable part of Indian folk lore.

I will try to bring selected stories of Birbal in my subsequent postings. Hope you will enjoy them.

Cheers!